Originally Posted by
Voodoo76
I've raced hundreds of Crits. Typically ride around BS'ing during warmups, catch up on the weeks gossip, say your hello's and pull up to the line. No different than a Sunday training ride. Intensity starts after clipping both cleats in.
If I was allowed to ride next to you in a TT, would it be any different? It's a solo effort so a good riders focus is inward, if im racing against others my focus is on them out of necessity.
Yeah, in a TT when I pass riders, I might yell something stupid like 'put it in the big ring' or slow down enough to say ' well its definatly uphill' (Both I've actuatly said in an uphill tt) with a little chuckle afterwards. Or maybe Ill give them a wink.
Typically the start line of a cirt is focused, people are jittery, they will tap their bars or saddle or mess with their wheels, check the break. People show signs of nerves, not gossiping. I cant say I've raced hundreds of crits only a handful of cat 2 crits in fact. So maybe it gets different at the pro level or after your first hundred crits.